Day 7: Staff

Lucy blinked. She had no words and that was rare because like Happy said back when they first met, she talks a lot. This though, was a completely new experience that needed time to be properly digested and appreciated fully in silence. This, this was so much more than "transportation".

The once heiress to Heartfillia Railways knew transportation, had been educated to within an inch of her life about this business even if her father had expected the man she was to be married off to to run his life's work. This ship was so much more.

The glimmering ceilings were high on each deck letting the air move freely opening up the space giving it an outdoors feeling added by the natural light flooding through the transparent exterior walls of the ship. A light blush pink marble lined every walkway of the busy market area that seemed to wrap along the entire deck. Jugglers, dancers, musicians performed right there on the "street" pulling in members of gathering crowds to play along as Lucy walked by eyes wide and shining with childish awe. Just this deck could rival downtown Crocus for entertainment, shops and places to eat.

Lucy was not in a mechanical conveyance that moved people conveniently from point A to B optimizing the profit margin though providing well researched "luxuries". No, this was an extravagant Boscan luxury cruise ship, a flying pleasure resort fashioned in the aspect of their culture the size of a medium sized city. This was the destination and to prove that it even offered a traditional bath house on each deck that used the closest substitute for the waters of the Grass Sea available.

Lucy was already making a battle plan (ie. flirting) to get access to the mobile hydroponics gardens used to create a special blend for the bath waters. She had a greenhouse to plan for and a small hydroponics section would be an easy way to increase the humidity in it required by so many of the plants she was looking to fill the place with.

She walked around the ship in an excited daze trying to take in as much of her surroundings as possible completely oblivious to the old looking poisonous pair following in her wake glaring down both males and females. It was a Boscan Cruise after all that the small group had bought passage on to get to Pelerno the nearest skyport to Bickslow's beach house. A few of the passengers were like them, waiting pleasantly for their port of call, but the vast majority were here on vacation taking the full two week circuit looking to relax and enjoy the free sharing of pleasure culture prevalent on the ship. Needlessly to say there were many more than ready to engage parties eyeing up the cluelessly wandering Lucy.

In the distraction that was a very clueless and persistent male trying to get close to the rare blonde haired beauty that Cobra and Daturas lost sight and track of her as she slipped away eyes drawn by a weapons display.

When she thoughtlessly stepped through the door of the shop Lucy could feel the magical barrier tingle against her skin tugging at the coiled whip on her hip trying to prevent its entrance. With an unconscious pulse of her magic Lucy freed her preferred weapon of defense from the security field her eye's still fixated on the single display where a pair of elegantly carved Tonfa set. They were a dark mahogany stained with a rich red so dark they looked almost black decorated by what looked like twisted vines carved into their surface then limned in gold. They were exquisite and something about them called to something deep inside her.

Of their own accord Lucy's hands reached out and picked up the defensive batons her magic humming at the rightness of the feel; it was like they'd been made for her specially. She knew, in that moment, she needed them no matter the cost even though she had no idea what the single side-handled short clubs were called or how to actually use them outside of the fact they looked to be a better weapon to use than her whip if she got pulled into close quarters with an enemy. There was still a sizeable amount left over from after the generous budget she'd set aside for the greenhouse.

"Ah, I see the tonfa have caught your interest. Most ignore those little gems because they aren't flashy with sharp edges but in the right hands...they can beat any blade," a seductively smooth voice said off to her side. She was surprised at his nearness, as if he was unconcerned that she might attack him with the weapons currently in her hands. It wasn't strictly a smart thing to do considering the type of people who were naturally drawn to a store full implements of pain and death, but then what did that say about him...

"Tonfa?" she asked getting a feel of how it felt when she spun one in her hand.

"Yes, would you believe they were once serviceable cranks in the first grain mills but where necessity for protection comes into our lives…"

"Humans get creative." She smiled brilliantly turning to look up at the man for the first time. He was younger than she'd expected but his deep red eyes held an edge of hard earned wisdom that made her unsure of her judgement. His hair was long, smooth, dark with sun bleached russet highlights all pulled back by a simple leather strip. Beautifully tanned skin stretched over honed muscles all clad in a leather so tight it had to be sewn on. Oh yes he was decidedly handsome. The word didn't actually do him justice and if she weren't already completely in love with her very own dangerously handsome dragon slayer Lucy was sure she'd already be nibbling on that full bottom lip of his.

"That they do. The mind is probably to most dangerous weapon of them all." He moved behind her so close she could feel the heat of his body through her clothes and his without his actually touching her. His large callused hands adjusted her grip on the tonfa before closing over hers lightly guiding her movements through a kind of fluid dance. It was exhilarating in a way she'd never known, her heart pounding in her chest as she slowly took over the movements pulling away a little from the tempting stranger.

In an impulsive move she swung around to face him bringing the club down she was met with a sharp clack as the man caught her weapon with a matte black version that had come out of nowhere. A single raised brow was all it took before an impromptu spar started right in the middle of the store as the pair wove their way around various weapon displays. Lucy felt more than a little guided in her movements by the very tonfa she was wielding more so than she had from the man before her now blocking each of her offensive attacks with an ease that spoke of extensive training.

Pushing harder Lucy focused more on bringing her magic up waiting under her skin to resonate with the wooden clubs, instinct driving her movements catching most but not all of the decidedly soft strikes the man delt her pointing out holes in her guard. A high strike came down and Lucy knew instantly that she didn't have the strength in one arm to stop it which would lead to a painful headache no matter how effectively the man was able to pull his hits; a smack on the head with a metal rod was still going to hurt like a son of a bitch.

Both of her hands flew up to catch the hit and something weird happened as the sides of the wooden guards touched. Lucy's magic pulsed in a shock of white and soon she found a long staff in her hands angled in a way she also caught a side blow she hadn't even been aware of coming at her.

Wide surprised honey brown eyes met dark curious wine red. One swift move later and Lucy was disarmed, the long staff hitting the ground turning back into its original forms, panting and trapped against the cool metal of his clubs and the hot firmness of a hard muscular chest.

"Hmmm, this was fun," his smooth tenor purred in her ear, "but duty calls and I am nothing if not a slave to duty."

The way he said it as he released her from his hold but not before letting the blunt tip of his tonfa slide down her cleavage had Lucy very much doubting the type of duty he was a "slave" to was the one that was calling him away at the moment. Still he did move away and picked up her forgotten batons the tips of his fingers lightly running up the backs of her hands when he handed them over.

"You'd be an idiot not to buys these and next time I'll teach you the right way to work a staff..." His smirk was filled with all sorts of naughty promises a small part of her was a little curious to explore; it had been several long months since she had been laid and she wasn't mated yet...

"Lucy," she said by way of introduction her heart rate finally slowing.

"Hmmm Vander." He nipped at her ear then was gone melting into the shadows.

That man is all sorts of dangerous for my health, she thought before turning with her purchase clutched to her chest toward the counter. An image of wild dark burgundy hair, thin wicked lips, a single cerulean eye and dark caramel skin came to mind sending tingles up her spine. Erik was really what her frustrated body wanted but the similarities between both men's characters and builds had been enough to waken her hormones.

The tension in Cobra's shoulders relaxed as Lucy's mind turned back to him instead of the mysterious man that had just begging to be poisoned for encroaching on his mate. He'd only caught a glimpse of him before the stranger was gone and that was probably for the best. He doubted the ship would have survived the fight; Cobra was pretty sure he would have most likely dissolved a hole or two right through the damn thing before it was over.

Lucy was his and no one was going to take her away from him now, not when he had finally succeeded in winning her heart. Her soul practically begged him to take her and he was days away from finally giving in and claiming her. Yeah, that fight would have turned ugly especially since he hadn't been able to pick up on the thoughts of the seducer. He'd have to keep Lucy by his side for the full 2 days of this trip with such a real threat to his mating on board.

"Fucking Boscans," he gritted out.

"Damn Kaleb you have the worst fucking timing you know that?" Vander said slipping out of the shadows near his older brother. They were almost polar oppositions in looks - the bulging thick muscles of his brother contrasted his own broad but lean frame, bright platinum blonde to his dark russet hair, pale lavender to his merlot colored eyes - but they were brothers in all but blood and Kaleb was one of very few people who could actually put him on his ass if push came to shove so he wasn't going to just ignore him when it came to business; he was technically on a job right now so the beautiful blonde he found earlier would have to wait.

"I know you feel that way but there is something I felt you should know before things went any further." Kaleb's deeper voice said idly as he flipped through the latest forms on his tablet that his assistant had forwarded to him.

"Do you actually need me to ask what that is exactly?" Vander asked as he gracefully dropped down on the deck chair next to his brother's.

"The woman you were entertaining earlier happens to be one of Bix's friends that we're here to keep a watch over since he wasn't able to travel here until later in the week."

"Fuck! Tell me there are more than just the dragon slayer and his mate on board?" Vander pouted crossing his arms over his chest. He already knew the answer but still there were few things he would show respect for but mating had always been up there. With two siblings that were dragon slayers he'd grown up knowing how rare and special it was for a dragon to actually find their mate and how territorial they got around an unclaimed one. It was why their father Arman had insisted Kaleb, Cristoff and he were to look after the couple as they made their way to Bickslow's beach house when he found out that the seith mage wasn't going to be on the flight to run interference.

Luckily Kaleb had been available to use his mindbending magic to help steer people clear of the couple and change any necessary memories if an incident occurred, Cristoff was brought along to heal any potential injuries said incidents could possibly end in and Vander had the happy task of getting the pair away should someone do something to truly incite Cobra's dragon wrath hopefully before any damage was caused. Given his time spent as an assassin for Bosco's crown he'd worked up an immunity to most poisons which, combined with his other skills, made him the best choice for the task of directly dealing with the poison dragon slayer and fucking shit if he hadn't been close to ruining everything and being the cause of sending a dragon slayer into a protective rage without even knowing.

"It's just them. I've already have Cris keeping his distance since he is an unmated male dragon slayer and would be considered the greater threat but you should probably do so as well. This is a huge ship Van. You're free to enjoy yourself with most of them so you don't need the attention of this particular one."

"You haven't met her man. Long honey blonde hair, legs that go for miles with thighs that could probably crack a walnut and she took up the tonfa like she was born to them," Vander sighed wistfully before turning serious. "She's more powerful a mage than Bixy said. You should tell Dad to have Zen kept farther away from the house until after they've mated. I guarantee he'll feel the call of her magic even from the guild hall and if she actually uses it?" Vander shook his head. He'd only felt the very hint of the celestial mage Lucy had called up into the tonfa but her aura spoke to an incredible well spring of power.

"The guild is a 45 minute drive from where they're going to be." Kaleb's arched brow indicated his scepticism. He knew since she was a summoner and opened spirit gates she'd have more power than most but she was young and hadn't been a mage that long.

"That would take Zen maybe 10 minutes, at most, to cover plus the skyport is half that distance. Trust me, he'll feel her and when she calls her first spirit? Yeah, it's safer he go to White Sea and stay there for a little while."

"Interesting," Kaleb mumbled as he sent a quick message to his father, Zen and his assistant Thane to make the arrangements for the temporary move. Their brother Zen had a rare magic type, Archangel, that had some weird side effect that made it next to impossible for him to resist anyone with celestial based magic; the stronger the mage the harder it was for Zen to resist debasing himself at their feet and the easier he tracked them down to do so. He was born to serve the heaven's so those who wielded that power triggered those instincts so strongly in him his free will all but nonexistent. The pull was felt by both parties but unequally and it often ended in their long-suffering brother getting used poorly by an uncaring selfish prick and so far no one in their family had found a way to protect him from it happening other than keeping those with celestial magic at a distance.

Having Zen crash a dragon slayer trying to claim his mate would be bad news for everyone involved. How the hell did I get roped into this again?

Daturas stayed hidden in the amongst the leaves of the foliage prevalent on board the ship watching the lounging blonde male silently. She'd felt the presence of this person in many of the minds she'd jumped through while she nagivated the new space and crowds of strangers but even now couldn't access his mind, a first for her. It had taken her this long to even find him. The man didn't seem to want to harm them but Dot might be a tiny bit paranoid; her first foray into the larger world had turned into a battle with a dark guild.

You can come out now little one I already know you're there.

...How?

Most people wouldn't feel you pushing in their minds but for someone with my magic? You might as well been using a sledgehammer.

Oh. Daturas' bloom dipped down in disappointment as she made her way to the large man. She only wanted to borrow the humans' senses not hurt anyone. Who are you?

Kaleb, Bickslow asked me to look out for Lucy and Cobra.

You know Mom, Dad and Uncle Bixy?

Yes. You call Bickslow your unclce? Kaleb's full lips curved slightly finally getting his first look at the unique creature that had arrived perched on Cobra's shoulder, something his brother had neglected inform the rest of them would be there. I guess that makes us family too.

What do you mean? I've never met you before. Dot thought warily. It might be impossible to lie effectively to her this way but words could be twisted. Family might mean something different to Kaleb...

Bickslow is my brother however much I'd like to deny that sometimes like when he does something exceptionally stupid.

Dot couldn't help but giggle. Uncle Bixy did often do really dumb stuff just to make people laugh.

Are you hungry? Kaleb asked silently as he greeted a uniformed woman who'd walked up.

Do they have any ricin? She asked curiously figuring this man must be ok because Uncle Bixy loved telling stories about his siblings and all the fun they had. Plus, ricin was her most favorite treat even though she rarely got it because Mommy said it made her hyper.

I'm afraid they don't have any poisons here but I think I might be able to procure something for you. Kaleb finished his drink order adding a small apple juice last minute before sending out a quick thought. Turning his attention to the sweet little girl hiding his smile as the curious plant settled on his lap using one of her vines to tap the screen of his tablet.

Can you watch movies on this?

Un huh and I think I have one you might just like. Kaleb settled comfortably in the deck chair again as he closed out his work files and pulled up his personal library finally letting the insistent consciousness prodding at his mind in.

I'm Daturas but most call me Dotty, Daturas answered Kaleb's unasked question as she finally relaxed seeing things through his eyes.

"What are we watching?" Vander's voice was heard before he appeared at his brother's elbow.

Little Shop of Horrors, the shadowquip heard a little voice squeak in his mind as Audrey was almost eaten by Audrey II in the movie. Blinking Vander cut his eyes to the side further seeing a foot high plant wrapped around his brothers bicep trembling instead of in the potted foliage he'd originally.

"Ummm, Kaleb...I'll give you she is a cutie but kinda young," he teased.

"Dot this is my youngest brother Vander. You can ignore most of what he says."

"Hey!" Vander cuffs his shoulder without any real heat.

"Van meet Daturas. She's Cobra and Lucy's adopted daughter. They're at a spa so I'm babysitting. Tell me you bring the Havati poison?"

I'm not a baby! Dot huffed.

"Always." Vander twirled a vial in his fingers. "Wha-"

Shhhh, there's dialog here. The young girl reprimanded tightening her grip a little.

Vander met his brother's eyes filled with humor. He was used to being yelled at for making sarcastic remarks during a movie but never by a plant.

I'll explain everything later. Kaleb conceded a little before opening the vial and pouring it into the small dish of juice Dot was sitting in.

Blood is gross why would Audrey II even want to eat a person, she exclaimed before quieting again.

Vander rolled his eyes but settled on the deck chair next to his brother's to watch the rest of the movie; he'd just come from a pleasant time with a pair of siblings so was in a good mood and this movie was one of his favorites.

Dot has now met Kaleb and Vander and I see them getting along really well. Imagine what they can both teach her without Mommy and Daddy around...

I would be lying if I didn't say the inspiration for Daturas didn't come from Little Shop of Horrors only a version you'd actually want around instead of the selfish blood sucking jerk that was Audrey II though...from a moral standpoint which is worse? Audrey II's blood diet or Dot's consumption of other planet based food? Is she a cannibal?

What do you all think? - Blas